Set your image up in your graphics or word processing program so that it fits a 6" x 6" area. The one used for this project is availabe at the bottom of this page. Print out onto your fabric sheet using the best print out for your printer. Let dry for a minute or two then using a 6" template centered over your image, trace the edges as a guide for cutting. Cut out the image along the traced line.

Once you've cut out the image, peel away the backing paper and heat set the ink with a hot, dry iron.
Cut another 6" circle out of the fabric you chose for the bottom half of the pincushion. Mark the center of each circle with a small dot on the "right side".

With right sides together and using a 1/4" seam allowance sew the two halves together leaving a 2" opening for turning and stuffing. Turn the pincushion "right side out". Stuff with fiberfil to full. Slip stitch the opening closed.

Thread your large embroidery needle with 6 strand embroidery thread and knot one end. On the bottom half, sew down through the center dot and bring the needle up through the dot on the top side. Loop your thread to the bottom half and sew through the same spot and up to the top again. Pull tight on the thread so that it "cuts" into the pincushion. Repeat this until you have 6 "wedges" in your pincushion. Tie off your thread. Adjust the thread so that your wedges are even.

To finish your pincushion, sew a decorative button over the center where all the embroidery threads meet to cover that area.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Making your own decals is now as simple as printing from your home computer. You can now buy sheets of decal material for inkjet and laser printers. I have listed a couple of online sources on the Supplies & Materials page.

Creating your own fabric postcards is a wonderful way to send someone a truly one of a kind message through the mail. Fabric postcards a completely mailable - just have the Post Office hand cancel your creation. It may cost a little more than a normal postcard, but it's well worth it.

Materials:

1 Sheet Printable Fabric

4" x 6" Piece Innerfuse (Heavy Weight)

4" x 6" Cardstock

Thread, Floss, Ribbon or Ric Rac for edging

Open the image you would like to use in an editing program or place in a word processing program and resize it to measure 4" x 6". Insert the sheet of fabric into your printer with the fabric "print side up" and print at the best setting for your printer. Remove fabric from the sticky sheet and heat set with a dry iron for a few seconds on high setting. DO NOT rinse out as per the package directions or your image will shrink. Remember, this won't be used for a wearable item, so making the print out "color fast" is not as important. Cut your print out along the edges with scissors or a rotary cutter and ruler.

Place a piece of cardstock in your printer and print out the "address" side of the postcard. (Hint: "right click" the top image and save a copy to your hard drive to use) Make sure that your image measures 4" x 6". Cut the postcard back out from the cardstock.

Following the instruction on the Inner Fuse package, stack your cardstock, face down, then the Inner Fuse and last your picture, face up on an ironing board. Heat your iron to highest dry setting. Press your iron down on one section for 5 seconds then move to another section and repeat until you've press the entire image onto the inner fuse. Let your project cool for a few seconds then turn over and repeat the ironing process on the cardstock side.

There are several ways you can finish the edges of your postcard:

1) With a sewing machine you can edge the postcard with a zigzag satin stitch.

2) You can glue ric-rac or ribbon along the edges.

3) You can hand sew a blanket stitch with a sharp tapestry needle and embroidery thread.

Other edgings you could use are sequin strips, lace, cording or other fibers. Make sure they are glued or sewn down securely.

Here's another one I've done using a digital photo of one of my beautiful irises:

One of my favorite things to do with printables is a checkbook cover. These are quite simple and take very little time. You can design your own using photos or graphics of your choice. Check the Graphics For Your Projects page on the right for more information.

Materials:

Clear Vinyl Check Book Cover (places to buy them can found in the Materials page)

Measure the open checkbook cover, then subtract 1/4" both width and height for final graphics dimensions. This makes it easier to insert and remove the paper from the cover and prevents buckling.

Open the image you want to use in any graphics program or place into a word processing program and re-size it to your checkbook measurements. You may have to crop (eliminate) some of the graphics around the edges to get the proper size. Make sure the focal image is at the bottom half (as shown) as this will be the front of your checkbook.

Print your final image onto your paper, making sure that the printer settings match the type of paper you are using. You want to use the "photo" setting to get the best possible print out. Let the image dry for a few minutes before going on to the next step.

Using a straight edge or ruler as a guide, cut the image out with an Exacto knife or rotary cutter. (I used a portable table top paper cutter) If you're a really careful cutter, go ahead and use scissors.

Insert the image (facing outwards) into your checkbook cover. The easiest way is to invert the fold of the cover then bend your image while sliding it into the inside vinyl slips. Keep pushing and wiggling until the paper is completely inside.

Fold the cover as you would use it and pinch to make a crease to hold the checkbook closed. I like to place the folded cover under a stack of books for a day or two for this. Double check that the image is facing the right way in the cover. It's easy to get it turned around. To check, hold the checkbook with the image facing you and open the checkbook. If the ledger tab is at the top as it should be then you're OK. If the ledger tab is at the bottom, then your picture is upside down. Simply remove the picture, turn it around and re-insert.

There! Now you have a One Of A Kind checkbook cover that you'll want to use all the time. Make several more with different images so that you'll have one to use everyday of the week and a few to give away.